A Fool's Errand?
Right. Like out of the thousands of films made in the last ten years, I'm going to pick a list that you agree with? Not going to happen. Please myself? Even that is up for grabs… I'm already disappointed in myself for leaving off "Gladiator," a film I dearly loved but forgot about when assembling these others.
Basically, my criteria, in scanning the films from the past decade, was not about what was "important" or "critically acclaimed" or even "big box office." I just asked myself which films I enjoyed watching the most and, if a friend was over and wanted to see one of them again on the home theater's big screen, could I truly enjoy seeing it again?
I even ranked them, although that was a little bit harder. And, I'll state this in advance, I know you're going to freak out when you get to #1 but, like I say, this is subjective, it's my list, and sometimes it's just about how a movie hits you. That's the magic. The films are different. We're different. Everybody likes things differently than the next guy. Here goes…
#10 – Little Miss Sunshine
This is the small film that re-defined the "road picture" and touched a lot of people's hearts in the process. You ended up caring about all the characters, the performances were authentic, and the story was quirky and unexpected. And, of course, there was the van…
#9 – Up in the Air
It's possible that this film won't wear as well as I think it will. Maybe it's a slight little trifle that only reflects its moment in time. But when I saw it recently, I found it substantial, moving and surprising. It made the list and not just because Clooney's at his best.
#8 – Almost Famous
The music is powerfully evocative, the moment-in-time quality is fantastic, and the script is wonderful. If you didn't happen to live through the 70s, this will remind you that there was life before disco. And, yes, we did listen to "Tiny Dancer" and it was as good then as it is now.
#7 – Avatar
The story goes into stereotyped action overdrive in the third act and that's a shame because there is so much going on inside this film that is so wonderful. It's more than eye-candy, though, it's a film event that actually delivers an extremely credible alien landscape, inhabitants and culture. Great film and a piece of history.
#6 – Downfall
I love a good World War II film (although I did not share anyone's enthusiasm for "Inglourious Basterds"). This film, made by Germans, dares to go places that nobody has gone to, specifically seeing Hitler as a real dude. That made him exceptionally scary to me.
#5 – Love Actually
Some people share my passion for this film, some people don't. It has become our family's favorite Christmas film (and, based on our Movie Smackdown poll, it looks like it's about to de-throne "It's A Wonderful Life"). That's because it has heart and feels relevant, and goes beyond the Christmas spirit to a deeper humanity. And it's funny!
#4 – Shattered Glass
Back in what seems like another lifetime, I won some awards for investigative journalism. I had to bust my ass to get them because breaking real stories is not easy. That's why this film is so compelling, knowing the pressure that Stephen Glass was under to deliver something spectacular to his employers and watching him cross the moral line into making it up.
#3 – The Dark Knight
If the Motion Picture Academy had their ten nomination rule last year, then this film would have been nominated. I think it should have made the short list anyway. I actually thought this was the Best Picture of 2008. That doesn't make me a fanboy but it does make me a guy who appreciates great story, compelling characters and intense filmmaking.
#2 – United 93
In my opinion, this is a holy film that people should watch more than once, preferably every year near the anniversary of 9/11. If politics and endless debate over the War on Terrorism has you questioning what the fuss was all about, this will wipe that away. The fuss was about mass murder here at home by religious fanatics who wanted to kill Americans, as many as possible.
#1 – Cast Away
This film just works for me. I know a lot of people who criticize its structure and nit-pick lots of the creative decisions. Yet I believe this is the best realization of the Robinson Crusoe story you're likely to see, told through the eyes of Tom Hanks' Everyman in a way that makes it incredibly real and a great, great "what if." Watch it again. Make me happy.
Honorable Mention, Comedy/Romance: The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Lost in Translation, Adaptation, Meet the Parents, Shrek, The Royal Tenenbaums, Juno, High Fidelity, Superbad, Sideways, (500) Days of Summer
Honorable Mention, Sci-Fi/Fantasy: District 9, I Am Legend, 28 Days Later, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Primer, The Road
Honorable Mention, Comicbook: Superman Returns, Batman Begins, The Incredibles, Spider-Man 2, Watchmen, Iron Man, X-Men
Honorable Mention, Drama: The Lives of Others, Gladiator, Into the Wild, No Country for Old Men, The Prestige, Slumdog Millionaire, Casino Royale, Blackhawk Down, Erin Brockovich, The Bourne Identity, Master and Commander, The Departed, Wonder Boys, Memento, There Will Be Blood
By the way, if you like our little captioned photos (we call them "COMIX") you can see our entire collection of them over at www.moviesmackdown.tv. They even play as a slide-show which can be kind of amusing, if you're in the right mood.
Several of our other critics are getting set to do this with their own lists — Sherry Coben, Beau DeMayo, and Mark Sanchez to name a few. They will likely be completely different in their opinions.
In any case, the comment section is open. You're certainly welcome to blister me for having the Worst Taste in the Entire World if you want, but it would also be cool if you told us what your favorite film from the past ten years was/is and why. Fire when ready.
{Review by Bryce Zabel}
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